On Tuesday, December 20, 2016, the SEC announced an enforcement action against a company for entering into separation agreements with employees containing provisions that restricted their ability to communicate potential securities law violations to the SEC, and for retaliating against a whistleblower who voiced concerns internally.
The action against SandRidge Energy, Inc., an Oklahoma City-based oil and gas company, signals the SEC’s continued commitment to enforcing Dodd-Frank’s whistleblower protection provisions, including by bringing actions for retaliation against employees.